Library Officer, NL/Reader Services (Chinese Collection)

National Library Board (NLB); Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Library Board (NLB) in Singapore invites applications for a frontline library role supporting reference services, collection maintenance and operations in a hybrid work setup. The role focuses on engaging library users onsite and online, managing loans, and delivering information literacy programs.

Successful candidates will contribute to Reading Room projects, logistics, and collection development, while coordinating with librarians and support staff.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in speaking and reading Chinese is required.
• Experience delivering reference and information services in a library setting.
• Ability to manage operations and respond to researchers' information needs.
• Strong teamwork and supervisory capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely reference and information services onsite and online.
• Manage loans services engagements and information literacy programs.
• Coordinate Reading Room operations and new service projects.
• Support in planning rostering, reporting, procurement and ISO processes.
• Supervise part-time staff and contribute to staff development.

Skills

Chinese language proficiency

Frontline service experience

Customer engagement

Job description

[What the role is]

The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through our network of 28 libraries across Singapore, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore.

At NLB, you can look forward to a flexible, hybrid work environment with rewarding, impactful deliverables that improve the lives of the community. With caring colleagues, you will be in an ideal environment for professional development, innovation and impact.

We can offer you:

• A chance to Impact the Community, bridge gaps and empower everyone with the opportunity for learning and discovery.
• An opportunity to Innovate and Push Boundaries. We value ideas, curiosity and a passion for innovation to transform our libraries and archives.
• An organisation that Ignites your Growth and Wellbeing through investment in staff development and wellbeing in a supportive and collaborative environment

To provide reference and research information services that are timely, useful and accessible to the library users through the provision of reference and customer services, management of Singapore’s heritage collection/content, promotional, administrative activities and projects so as to contribute towards the achievement of NLB’s mission and vision.

[What you will be working on]

Library and Reference Services

• Provide relevant and timely reference and information service to library users onsite as well as online (via CRM database) including Tier 3 enquiries according to Service Standards.
• Manage customer engagements for loans services according to Policies and Processes.
• Conduct information literacy, class visits, tours, user education session and programmes (on rotational basis).

Operations Agilities at Reading Rooms (including level 12 and 13)

• Ensure that NL Reading Room operations are well maintained in good condition to meet both operational and customers’ needs.
• To be involved in projects relating to Reading Rooms set-ups and new services.

General Administrative Support

• Provide support in library operations such as planning of rostering duties, assisting in ISO 9001 annual certification or audit exercises, compiling reports and statistics, financial matters, procurement, systems and administrative duties (such as electronic filing and other duties)
• Serve these roles in rotational basis: minute taker for department weekly meeting, fire warden, staff welfare representatives and NL representatives for ALG programmes/activities
• Compile and collate statistics and reports relating to scope of duty

Supervise support staff including part-time staff in Reference Service

• Monitor performance according to Service Standards by providing feedback and guiding new hires via on-the-job training
• Planning and supervise manpower planning for frontline duties and collection maintenance works

Collection Maintenance Works (Chinese Collection)

• Assist Librarians and Collection Heads in collection maintenance matters in accordance with the SOP which include weeding, reworks, binding and book displays
• Compile collection management/development reports supporting Donors’ and Singapore and Southeast Asian collections
• Supervise collection maintenance works and ensure the library’s collection is relevant and up-to-date
• Coordinate and plan for spatial optimisation including Reading Rooms and Closed sections
• Manage collection audit and promotion initiatives such as stocktake, exhibition preparation, and project management relating to collections matters
• Manage bibliographic records in Integrated Library Management Systems (ILS) for item tracking and standards

Content Development and Projects (on assignment basis)

• Assist Librarians in simple searching and retrieval of information using databases and other resources on assigned topics/subjects for compiling of resource guides and bibliographies
• Maintain quality content on documents, webpages, databases and files updating and indexing of articles

[What we are looking for]

• 3 to 5 years of relevant working experience in frontline service
• Proficient in speaking and reading in Chinese Language is required as the incumbent will also be required to handle Chinese Collections
• Systematic, meticulous and self-driven, with the abilities to manage operational matters especially in problem solving and meeting researchers’ information needs
• Contribute towards the achievement of NLB mission and vision and positive feedback from researchers especially in establishing LKCRL’s role as a centre of scholarly research on Singapore and Southeast Asia
• Appreciates operational challenges, service gaps with the abilities to find workable solutions
• Work as a team and contribute to positive team spirit amongst colleagues, and supervisory skills

The successful candidate will be appointed on a 2-year contract in the first instance.